Package capping apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for continuously forming produce packages for marketing comprising support means upon which containers filled with produce are individually fed and moved, conveyor means for moving each container to successive areas of operation to form a completed package, said areas including cap supply source, cap dispensing means, means for gripping and moving each cap in timed relationship along with the produce container, means for applying glue to lateral tab portions of each cap, means for folding the lateral portions of the cap against adjacent sides of the container associated therewith, means for compressing the lateral portions of the cap firmly against the sides of the container, means for applying glue to leading and trailing tab portions of the cap, means for folding the leading and trailing tab portions of the cap against adjacent sides of the container and means for compressing the leading and trailing tab portions of the cap firmly against the sides of the containers.

United States Patent [1 1 Baker 1 Dec. 25, 1973 PACKAGE CAPPINGAPPARATUS Leroy D. Baker, Morris, ll].

[73] Assignee: Diamond International Corporation,

New York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Nov. 15, 1971 [2!] Appl. No.: 198,866

[75] Inventor:

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,516,227 6/l970 Baker etal. 53/387 X 3,634,995 l/l972 Curtis 53/387 X 3,688,472 9/1972 Revaz53/389 X 2,584,925 2/l952 Rideout 53/374 X 2,998,685 9/196! Ganz 53/389X 2,669,167 2/1954 Behl 53/374 X 3,626,660 l2/l97l Dorfmann 53/387 XPrimary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-Horace M. CulverAttorney-Karl W. Flocks [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for continuously formingproduce packages for marketing comprising support means upon whichcontainers filled with produce are individually fed and moved, conveyormeans for moving each container to successive areas of operation to forma completed package, said areas including cap supply source, capdispensing means, means for gripping and moving each cap in timedrelationship along with the produce container, means for applying glueto lateral tab portions of each cap, means for folding the lateralportions of the cap against adjacent sides of the container associatedtherewith, means for compressing the lateral portions of the cap firmlyagainst the sides of the container, means for applying glue to leadingand trailing tab portions of the cap, means for folding the leading andtrailing tab portions of the cap against adjacent sides of the containerand means for compressing the leading and trailing tab portions of thecap firmly against the sides of the containers.

18 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTED 052251975 SHEET 1 0F 4 INVENTORLEROY D. BAKER KTZ'LEQ FFTQLXG I ATTORNEY PATENTEB UEEZS I973 SHEEI 2 BF4 INVENTOR LEROY D. BAKER PAIENTEU 052251913 sum a nr 4 FIG. 6.

m m E V W LEROY D. BAKER PAImI nbEczsma SHEET & 0F 4 FIG. l2.

FIG. /3.

LEROY D. BAKER PACKAGE CAPPING APPARATUS DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ARTApparatus for applying caps to produce containers to form marketablepackages of the type for which applicant seeks patent protection isexemplified by the construction disclosed in the US. Pats. to Borchert,No. 1,913,743; Hammond, No. 2,595,849; Mueller, No. 3,487,622; Bennertet al, No. 3,412,526 and Baker et al, No. 3,516,227. In both theBorchert and the Hammond patents the capping operation is carried out bypressing the cap member partially into the opening of the containermember. The Bennert et al. apparatus includes means for preforming a lidwith locking tab members, placing the lid over a carton provided withslits into which the locking tab members are inserted. The Muellerpatent relates to an apparatus for applying a cover to a container bypressing the cover into the container while compressing the side of thecontainer to expel the air entrapped between the cover of the containerand food product contained therein. The Baker et al patent relates to anapparatus for locating a container member beneath an indexed blank covermember to which glue is applied to the edges thereof and moving thecontainer up to the lid member and together against a closing member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Although the apparatus according to thisinvention may be used to efficiently form completed packages of anyproduct in commerce by applying caps to containers, the advantagesafforded thereby are especially desirable in the packaging ofstrawberries, raspberries, blackberries and the like, which are highlyperishable in the normal environs after picking and must beexpeditiously packaged to avoid losses due to spoilage. The apparatusaccording to this invention also forms a neat and attractive package andat the same time gently applies a cap to each container without crushingor causing other damage to the product in the containers. Fruits,vegetables, nuts and candy are other examples of produce which may bethe contents of the package formed on the apparatus according to thisinvention.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The primary object of this invention is toprovide an apparatus for forming a completed package in which individualcontainers filled with produce are moved along a series of areas ofoperation including cap dispensing means, glue applying means, capfolding means, and cap compressing means which cooperate to form thecompleted package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thepreferred embodiment of the apparatus according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the plane of 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the plane of 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the plane of 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the plane of 5--5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the plane of 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the plane of 77 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the plane of 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing alternative meansfor deflecting lateral portions of the cap;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the plane of l0l0 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the plane of l1ll in FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the plane of l2l2 in FIG. 11;and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the plane of l3--l3 in FIG. 4and corresponds to the alternative embodiment of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now more particularly tothe drawings, the novel packaging and capping apparatus in accordancewith this invention is generally shown in FIG. 1 and includes a frame10. In the preferred embodiment, the frame is L-shaped, although it maybe in straight-line form. The frame 10 includes a longitudinallyextending recess 12 with a first conveyor assembly 14 received therein.The conveyor assembly 14, which is best seen in FIG. 3, comprises a pairof spaced apart driving sprocket wheels 16 and a chain 18 in drivingrelationship therewith. A plurality of pushing lugs 20 extend radiallyfrom the chain 18 at predetermined distances along the chain 18. Alsoreceived in the recess 12 and on opposite sides of the conveyor assembly14 are a pair of longitudinally extending support rails 22. A pair oflaterally spaced guide rails 24 extend a short distance above the frame10 and longitudinally thereof. Extending a short distance above theguide rails 24 and longitudinally of the frame 10 are a pair oflaterally spaced support rods 26. A short distance beyond the incomingend of the frame 10 and spaced thereabove is a downwardly directed,inclined magazine M constituting a supply source of cap members C.Supported on opposite sides of the recess 12 and for operation thereoveris a cap dispensing and feeder mechanism 28. Extending forwardly of themagazine M and above the frame 10 is a cap conveying system 30. The capconveying system comprises a plurality of sprocket drive wheels 31, 32and 33 and a chain 34 in driving relationship therewith as best seen inFIG. 3. Each of the sprocket drive wheels 32 and 33 have a cam 42 and43, respectively, mounted adjacent one face thereof on fixed shafts uponwhich the wheels 32 and 33 are journalled. Spaced along the chain 34 ata predetermined distance are a plurality of spring-biased cam-actuatedclips 36. Each clip 36 includes a cam follower 37 on one end of the clip36, and a jaw 38 at the opposite end, which is biased to the grippingposition with respect to the adjacent end of clip 36 by a spring 40 asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The chain 34 comprises a downwardly inclined runextending adjacent the feeding end of the magazine M between thesprocket drive wheels 33 and 31, a generally horizontal conveying runextending above and parallel to the recess 12 of the frame 10, and anidle return run between the. sprocket drive wheels 32 and 33. Theportion of the chain 34 between wheels 33 and 31 is substantiallyparallel to the magazine M. Fixedly supported on the frame 12 onopposite sides of the recess 12 are a pair of wells 44. Each well 44 asshown in FIG. 7 includes a chamber having hot melt glue G therein, arotating glue applying wheel 46, which may be driven by motor means, anda pressure wheel 48. The support rods 26 terminate in front of the wells44. Beyond the wells 44 and longitudinally of the frame 10 are a pair oflaterally spaced folding and securing plates 50. The plates 50 arelocated on opposite sides of and above the recess 12 and includeinitially a generally horizontal receiving guide portion, a twistingdeflecting or folding portion, which extends to right angled horizontaland vertical pressure portions.

As mentioned above, the preferred embodiment of the apparatus accordingto this invention is generally L-shaped with the second leg of the Lincluding a secondary conveyor assembly 114 comprising drive sprockets116, a chain 118 with spaced apart lugs 120 thereon arranged in recess12 in a manner similar to conveyor assembly 14. Along with the secondconveyor assembly 114 are a pair of support rails 122, a pair of guiderails 124, a pair of wells 144 for glue and a pair of folding andcompression plates 150 which correspond to the support rails 22, theguide rails 24, the wells 44 for glue, and the folding and compressionplates 50 of the first leg of the apparatus.

In operation of the apparatus according to this invention, the conveyorassembly 14 situated in the recess 12 of frame 10 is driven so that thepushing lugs on the upper run of chain 18 move in the directionindicated by the arrow on the left in FIG. 1. Containers B filled withproduce, for example, are fed onto support rails 22 at the incoming endof the conveyor system 14. The means by which such containers B are fedonto support rails 22 form no part of this invention. As the chain 18 isdriven along a lug 20 on the upper run thereof moves into pushingrelationship with each container B fed onto the support rails 22 andadvance it between guide rails 24 to the area beneath the discharge endof magazine M from which a cap C is removed by rotating dispensing capfeeder mechanism 28. Guide rails 24 are provided to preclude drift ofthe container B laterally. The cap feeder mechanism may, for example,comprise a suction head operative to pull a cap C from the discharge endof the magazine M and lower it in timed relationship onto support rods26 and over a container 8 moved thereunder. by conveyor system 14. Also,moving in timed relationship with the upper run of chain 18 and thepusher lugs 20 thereon is the lower run of chain 34 of cap pullingassembly 30. Each clip 36 is arranged on chain 34 to grip the leadingend of the cap C lowered onto support rods 26 or over a container B. Theclips 36, which comprise a pair of gripping jaws are urged to open bycam 43 as follower 37 passes over the high spot thereof as seen in FIG.1 in opposition to the bias of spring 40. As follower 37 moves to thelow spot on cam 43 the spring jaw 38 and the associated portion of 36are closed by action of spring 40 and grip the leading edge of cap C.Each cap is thus pulled along in timed relationship by cap pullingsystem 30 over container B, which is pushed along by conveyor assembly14. Each cap C as is clearly seen in FIG. 2 includes a leading and atrailing edge or tab and a pair of transversely spaced side tabs. As thecap C is pulled along by clip 36 each of the transversely spaced sidetabs advances beyond the ends of support rods 26 and is passed betweenthe rotating glue applying wheel 46 of a well 44 and a pressure wheel48. The glue G in the well 44 is, preferably, a hot melt glue. Afterglue has been applied to the underside of the transversely spaced tabsof cap C by wheels 46, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each container B andits associated cap C are then moved between and beneath a pair oftransversely spaced plates 50 each of which includes initiallyhorizontal, twisted, and then vertical portions which deflect and foldthe transversely spaced side tabs of each cap C against the sides ofcontainer B. Integral with the initially horizontal, twisted and thenvertical portion of each plate 50 are right angled horizontal andvertical extensions which provide pressure against the foldedtransversely spaced side tabs of each cap C. The hot melt glue is cooledand cured as the cap C passes between the right angled horizontal andvertical portions of the plates 50, with pressure applied by the platesto firmly secure the side tabs of the cap against the adjacent sides ofthe container B as shown in FIG. 10.

As each container B passes out from between the plates 50 the clip 36 iscaused to open its jaws by cam 42 which urges the follower 37 in adirection counter to the bias of spring 40.

The secondary conveyor system 1 14 which, as shown in FIG. 1, issituated in the recess 12 of the second leg of the L-shaped frame 10with the lugs of chain 118 moves the container B on support rails 122and between guide rails 124 forward and to the right. The tabs of thecap C which are referred to above as leading and trailing tabs aretransversely spaced'along the second leg of the L-shaped frame 10. Theleading and trailing tabs are passed between glue applying wheels 146 ofwells 144 and pressure wheels 148 as shown in FIG. 11. After glue hasbeen applied to the underside of the laterally extending tabs of thecaps C (see FIG. 12) they are then passed between and beneathhorizontal, twisted and vertical portions of folding and pressure plates150. The plates 150 deflect and fold the laterally extending leading andtrailing tabs of the cap C in the same manner that the plates 50operated in the previous leg. The tabs thus folded by the plates 150 arethen passed between horizontally and vertically extending right angleportions of the plate 150 by which pressure is applied to the sides ofthe cap and the glue is allowed to cool and cure against the adjacentsides of the container B as shown in FIG. 13. When the container B isdischarged from between the plates 150 a completely packaged containerof produce is ready for distribution to retailers.

Instead of using twisted plate portions to deflect and fold thetransversely spaced laterally projecting edges ofthe cap C, beveledrollers 150' such as shown in FIG. 9 may be used to deflect the flaps ofthe cap toward the adjacent sides of the container B.

Also, instead of forming the frame 10 of the apparatus according to thisinvention in the shape of an L as shown in FIG. 1, the frame 10 may beformed in a straight line with means provided to rotate each container90 after leaving the first conveyor system 14 and before entering thesecond conveyor system 114.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade only by way of example and that numerous changes in details ofconstruction and accommodation and arrangement of parts may be resortedto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention ashereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for continuously forming marketable produce packagescomprising a frame provided with support means upon which containersfilled with produce may be individually fed and supported for subse-'quent movement therealong, conveyor means for moving containers alongsaid support means to successive areas of operation for formingcompleted packages, said areas of operation including a cap supplysource, cap dispensing means for individually removing caps from saidsource and positioning each of said caps removed from said supply sourcein timed relationship over a container moved thereunder, means formoving each cap positioned over a container in timed relationship alongwith the container associated therewith through successive areas ofoperation, means for supporting each cap for movement along with saidcontainer, means for applying glue to a pair of lateral tab portions ofeach cap as it is moved thereby in timed relationship with the containerassociated therewith, means for folding said lateral tab portions ofeach cap to which glue has been applied against adjacent sides of saidcontainer and firmly pressing said tab portions against said adjacentsides as each cap and the container associated therewith are moved intimed relationship thereby, said means for moving each cap including asprocket chain with a plurality of cap gripping clips spaced thereoneach of which includes a jaw member hinged thereto at one end and aspring element biasing said jaw to closed position.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 characterized in that said frameincludes a recess in which said support means for produce containers andconveyor means are situated.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 characterized in that saidsupport means for produce containers comprise a pair of transverselyspaced rails extending generally parallel to a main portion of saidframe and adjacent the top surface thereof with said conveyor meansextending down into the recess of said frame.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 characterized in that saidconveyor means comprises a sprocket chain with a plurality of lugsspaced thereon for individually pushing a container of produce alongsaid spaced rails.

5. Apparatus for continuously forming marketable produce packagescomprising a frame provided with support means upon which containersfilled with produce may be individually fed and supported for subsequentmovement therealong, conveyor means for moving containers along saidsupport means to successive areas of operation for forming completedpackages, said areas of operation including a cap supply source, capdispensing means for individually removing caps from said source andpositioning each of said caps removed from said supply source in timedrelationship over a container moved thereunder, means for moving eachcap positioned over a container in timed relationship along with thecontainer associated therewith through successive areas of operation,means for supporting each cap for movement along with said container,means for applying glue to a pair of lateral tab portions of each cap asit is moved thereby in timed relationship with the container associatedtherewith, means for folding said lateral tab portions of each cap towhich glue has been applied against adjacent sides of said container andfirmly pressing said tab portions against said adjacent sides as eachcap and the container associated therewith are moved in timedrelationship thereby, said frame including a recess in which saidsupport means for produce containers and conveyor means are situated,said support means for produce containers including a pair oftransversely spaced rails extending generally parallel to a main portionof said frame and adjacent the top surface thereof with said conveyormeans extending down into the recess of said frame, said conveyor meansincluding a sprocket chain with a plurality of lugs spaced thereon forindividually pushing a container of produce along said spaced rails,said means for moving each cap including a sprocket chain with aplurality of cap gripping clips spaced thereon, each of which includes ajaw member hinged thereto at one end and a spring element biasing saidjaw to closed position.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5 characterized in that cam meansare provided at opposite ends of said conveyor means and urge followermeans on the end of each clip opposite from the jaw member in oppositionto said spring to open said jaw to receive or release a cap as thefollower means traverses said cam means.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 characterized in that said chainof said conveyor means and said chain of said means for moving each capcomprise adjacent parallel runs traveling in the same direction atsubstantially identical speed whereby the lugs and the clipsrespectively thereof move in timed relationship with each other.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 characterized in that a pair oftransversely spaced guide rails are provided above said recess topreclude lateral drift of containers moved along said support rails.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8 characterized in that said meansfor supporting each cap for movement comprise a pair of laterally spacedrods extending above and generally parallel to said guide rails.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9 characterized in that said meansfor applying glue comprise a pair of laterally spaced wells at the endof each of said rods.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 characterized in that each ofsaid wells includes a chamber of hot melt glue in which a portion of arotatably mounted glue applying wheel may be dipped for glue to beapplied to a surface passing over the upper periphery thereof.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 including a rotating pressurewheel mounted coplanar with said glue applying wheel but above it forapplying pressure to any material coming therebetween.

13. The apparatus as in claim 12 characterized in that said means forfolding said lateral tab portions comprises a laterally spaced pair ofplates each of which includes an initial horizontal receiving portion, atwisted folding portion and a vertical portion.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13 characterized in that each ofsaid plates further includes right angled horizontal and verticalportions so pressure may be applied to folded tab portions to firmlysecure said tab portions to adjacent sides of the container and to allowthe hot melt glue to cool and cure.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 characterized in that said capdispensing means comprises a suction headon the end of a pivotallysupported vacuum conduit.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 characterized in that said framecontinues beyond said means for folding lateral tab portions of each capand includes adof each cap to which glue has been applied comprises atleast a pair of laterally spaced rotating beveled wheels against whichsaid tab portions may pass against and be downwardly deflected thereby.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 16 characterized in that saidframe is L-shaped with said areas of operation being disposed in one legof the L-shaped frame and said additional areas of operation beingdisposed in the other leg of the L-shaped frame.

1. Apparatus for continuously forming marketable produce packagescomprising a frame provided with support means upon which containersfilled with produce may be individually fed and supported for subsequentmovement therealong, conveyor means for moving containers along saidsupport means to successive areas of operation for forming completedpackages, said areas of operation including a cap supply source, capdispensing means for individually removing caps from said source andpositioning each of said caps removed from said supply source in timedrelationship over a container moved thereunder, means for moving eachcap positioned over a container in timed relationship along with thecontainer associated therewith through successive areas of operation,means for supporting each cap for movement along with said container,means foR applying glue to a pair of lateral tab portions of each cap asit is moved thereby in timed relationship with the container associatedtherewith, means for folding said lateral tab portions of each cap towhich glue has been applied against adjacent sides of said container andfirmly pressing said tab portions against said adjacent sides as eachcap and the container associated therewith are moved in timedrelationship thereby, said means for moving each cap including asprocket chain with a plurality of cap gripping clips spaced thereoneach of which includes a jaw member hinged thereto at one end and aspring element biasing said jaw to closed position.
 2. The apparatus asrecited in claim 1 characterized in that said frame includes a recess inwhich said support means for produce containers and conveyor means aresituated.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 characterized in thatsaid support means for produce containers comprise a pair oftransversely spaced rails extending generally parallel to a main portionof said frame and adjacent the top surface thereof with said conveyormeans extending down into the recess of said frame.
 4. The apparatus asrecited in claim 3 characterized in that said conveyor means comprises asprocket chain with a plurality of lugs spaced thereon for individuallypushing a container of produce along said spaced rails.
 5. Apparatus forcontinuously forming marketable produce packages comprising a frameprovided with support means upon which containers filled with producemay be individually fed and supported for subsequent movementtherealong, conveyor means for moving containers along said supportmeans to successive areas of operation for forming completed packages,said areas of operation including a cap supply source, cap dispensingmeans for individually removing caps from said source and positioningeach of said caps removed from said supply source in timed relationshipover a container moved thereunder, means for moving each cap positionedover a container in timed relationship along with the containerassociated therewith through successive areas of operation, means forsupporting each cap for movement along with said container, means forapplying glue to a pair of lateral tab portions of each cap as it ismoved thereby in timed relationship with the container associatedtherewith, means for folding said lateral tab portions of each cap towhich glue has been applied against adjacent sides of said container andfirmly pressing said tab portions against said adjacent sides as eachcap and the container associated therewith are moved in timedrelationship thereby, said frame including a recess in which saidsupport means for produce containers and conveyor means are situated,said support means for produce containers including a pair oftransversely spaced rails extending generally parallel to a main portionof said frame and adjacent the top surface thereof with said conveyormeans extending down into the recess of said frame, said conveyor meansincluding a sprocket chain with a plurality of lugs spaced thereon forindividually pushing a container of produce along said spaced rails,said means for moving each cap including a sprocket chain with aplurality of cap gripping clips spaced thereon, each of which includes ajaw member hinged thereto at one end and a spring element biasing saidjaw to closed position.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5characterized in that cam means are provided at opposite ends of saidconveyor means and urge follower means on the end of each clip oppositefrom the jaw member in opposition to said spring to open said jaw toreceive or release a cap as the follower means traverses said cam means.7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 characterized in that said chainof said conveyor means and said chain of said means for moving each capcomprise adjacent parallel runs traveling in the same direction atsubstantially identical speed whereby the lugs and the clipsrespectively thereof move in timed relationship with each other.
 8. Theapparatus as recited in claim 3 characterized in that a pair oftransversely spaced guide rails are provided above said recess topreclude lateral drift of containers moved along said support rails. 9.The apparatus as recited in claim 8 characterized in that said means forsupporting each cap for movement comprise a pair of laterally spacedrods extending above and generally parallel to said guide rails.
 10. Theapparatus as recited in claim 9 characterized in that said means forapplying glue comprise a pair of laterally spaced wells at the end ofeach of said rods.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10characterized in that each of said wells includes a chamber of hot meltglue in which a portion of a rotatably mounted glue applying wheel maybe dipped for glue to be applied to a surface passing over the upperperiphery thereof.
 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 including arotating pressure wheel mounted coplanar with said glue applying wheelbut above it for applying pressure to any material coming therebetween.13. The apparatus as in claim 12 characterized in that said means forfolding said lateral tab portions comprises a laterally spaced pair ofplates each of which includes an initial horizontal receiving portion, atwisted folding portion and a vertical portion.
 14. The apparatus asrecited in claim 13 characterized in that each of said plates furtherincludes right angled horizontal and vertical portions so pressure maybe applied to folded tab portions to firmly secure said tab portions toadjacent sides of the container and to allow the hot melt glue to cooland cure.
 15. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 characterized in thatsaid cap dispensing means comprises a suction head on the end of apivotally supported vacuum conduit.
 16. The apparatus as recited inclaim 3 characterized in that said frame continues beyond said means forfolding lateral tab portions of each cap and includes additional areasof operation, said additional areas being provided with second supportmeans upon which each container may be moved and second conveyor meansfor moving said containers therealong, second means for applying gluewhereby glue may be applied to leading and trailing tab portions of eachcap, and second means for folding said leading and trailing tab portionsof each cap firmly against adjacent sides of said container.
 17. Theapparatus as recited in claim 1 characterized in that said means forfolding said lateral tab portions of each cap to which glue has beenapplied comprises at least a pair of laterally spaced rotating beveledwheels against which said tab portions may pass against and bedownwardly deflected thereby.
 18. The apparatus as recited in claim 16characterized in that said frame is L-shaped with said areas ofoperation being disposed in one leg of the L-shaped frame and saidadditional areas of operation being disposed in the other leg of theL-shaped frame.